But this is what actually happened. Vasantlal Pukhraj Barmeda (50), owner of Shree Jewellers in Dapodi downed shutters like on any other day and packed up all the valuables to take home. He had started this practice after the spate of burglaries had hit jewellery shops in Khadki a few weeks ago.

Barmeda, accompanied by his younger brother, Suresh and brother-in-law Jagdish Soni, were riding triple-seat on their scooter when two youths started following them on a motorcycle. Says Vasantlal, ``We had just crossed the Guruv-Pipmle bridge when the pillion rider on the motor cycle threw chilli powder in Suresh's eyes and he lost control. Immediately two more youths showed up riding another motorcycle and attacked Suresh with a crow bar.''

The four youths grabbed the valuables they were carrying and rode off, with Vasantlal chasing them on foot. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Surinder Kumar, the youths, rattled by Vasantlal chasing them, crashed into a road divider. ``When they crashed, the silver jewellery that was on top in the bag fell along with an air pistol that sacred the people standing around. The youths got up and rode off when one of the two bikes again met with an accident as they dashed into a six-seater rickshaw,'' he said.

That is when the good Samaritans jumped in dutifully and helped the youths to recover, picked up the contents of the bag and helped them into the same rickshaw.

Meanwhile, Vasantlal who had given up the chase, went back to his brother and after the police arrived they rushed to Sassoon Hospital where Suresh received ten stitches. Later he was also taken to Jehangir Hospital and kept under observation.

Meanwhile police claim that the four youths had kept the shop under watch before they cornered Vasantlal with the valuables. ``The shop had been broken into a few days back, but the culprits did not find anything as the shop owners took the valuables home. They must have studied his movements before waylaying them on the road. We have established the identity of one of them and a key belonging to the culprits was also found at the spot,'' said a police official.

Due to the accident the police managed to recover the silver jewellery that is estimated to cost around Rs 74,000. The Bhosari police have registered a case of theft. Police inspector H.L. Ghatge is conducting further investigations.